Experiment 4 MSDS Interpretation

Material name: Benzene

Year MSDS was issued: 2012
Website: caledonlabs.com/upload/msds/1600-1e.pdf
Benzene is a dangerously flammable and toxic cancer hazard. Benzene is a clear
liquid at room temperature with a sweet, pleasant odour. With a density lower than
water and vapour heavier than air, Benzene tends to float on water and vapours
spread over long distances. Product is able to accumulate a static charge and can
spread fire when ignited. Benzene is considered harmful by inhalation, by skin
contact, and if swallowed.
a) C6H6
b) IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with gently running water for at least thirty (30)
minutes, holding eyelids open while flushing. Wear gloves to avoid contact.
Take care not to flush contaminated water into unaffected eye. Get MEDICAL
ATTENTION immediately.
c) Under running water, remove contaminated clothing (including rings,
watches, belts and shoes). Wear gloves to avoid contact. IMMEDIATELY flush
exposed area with large amounts of warm running water for at least thirty
(30) minutes or until chemical is removed. Get medical attention. Discard
contaminated clothing.
d) IMMEDIATELY remove to fresh air (caution must be used by rescuers to avoid
exposure to contaminating fumes). Remove any sources of ignition. Give
oxygen and get medical attention for any breathing difficulty. If breathing has
stopped give artificial respiration (use a mouth guard to prevent contact with
chemical). If breathing and pulse are absent give CPR. IMMEDIATELY OBTAIN
MEDICAL ATTENTION. Stay with casualty until medical assistance is reached.
e) Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. Mixtures with air are explosive. Can
accumulate static charge by flow or agitation. Vapours are heavier than air
and may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back.
Liquid can float on water and may spread fire.
f) 498C
g) -11C (TCC)
h) Upper Flammable Limit (% by volume): 7.1%
Lower Flammable Limit (%
by volume): 1.3%
i) COx, irritating aldehydes, ketones.
j) Liquid
k) Aromatic odour
l) Not applicable
m) 80C
n) Benzene changes from a solid form to a liquid at 5.5 oC
o) 0.877 @ 20C
p) 75 mm Hg at 20C
q) 2.7

r) 61 ppm (detection); 97 ppm (recognition) Poor warning qualities, threshold is

above TLV
s) Not corrosive
t) Benzene may cause corneal injury to the eye. It is also a skin irritant that may
be absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts. Inhalation of benzene can
irritate the respiratory tract and may result in central nervous system
depression and possible death due to respiratory failure. Ingestion and
subsequent aspiration into lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis.
u) Studies have proved conclusively that prolonged or repeated exposure
causes severe effects on the blood system, damage to bone marrow, and all
types of blood cells, harmful changes to the immune system, including
reduced lymphocyte counts.
v) (oral rat) 930 mg/kg, 1 mL/kg; (dermal, guinea pig) 9,400 L/kg
w) (rat) 34mL/kg/2h; 6.5 mL/kg/4h
x) 0.5 ppm
y) 2.5 ppm
z) Not available